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Pre-conference: Food culture and biodiversity

Wednesday 28 November, 12:30 - 17:00

Organised by:

EUPHA Section on Food and nutrition

BackgroundBiodiversity and food culture are both important, but sometimes neglected, public health issues. Biodiversity is closely link to nutrition. What we eat is influenced by the availability and sustainability of agricultural crops, livestock and marine species harvested for food. Protecting biodiversity is, therefore, essential to ensure an adequate nutrition of the population and it is closely connected to sustainable healthy diets.

By protecting biodiversity, food cultures and their diversity is also protected. Food culture is a well-known social determinant of health. The diet in the population is influenced by the cultural heritage of each society, which at the same time is influenced by the biodiversity of the soil and livestock of the area. Food cultures have been described as a positive and a negative nutritional influence. Whilst some argue that preserving traditional habits, such as daily cooking, could have a positive influence over the health of the population, others argue that many traditional food cultures are based on unhealthy products.